The ability to capture business opportunities from social
networking is being offered to small to medium sized enterprises
(SMEs) with a new online booking and payment system from BT
Tradespace.
Based on software from Libersy, Book It Now is available for
free to all BT Tradespace members at
www.btbookitnow.com and is claimed to be first
e-commerce solution to integrate the PayPal payments system
directly into an online bookings platform within a social network
environment .
The new solution is targeted at
SMEs in the service industry, such as hairdressers,
restaurants, sports clubs and consultants. Calculating that nearly
three quarters of all service bookings are made in the evening, BT
Tradespace says that Book It Now will provide businesses with a
round the clock online customer service tool. Users will be able to
log-on at any time and check for available times, book appointments
and pay instantly using the system.
“Socil commerce is clearly on the rise and, we are always
looking for ways in which we can help the
[
SME] community make the most of this upward trend,” said Ivan
Croxford, general manager, BT Tradespace . “It’s not only important
to be able to display your services, it’s also vital to interact
with your customers.”
Karin Loeffen, founder and creator of Libersy, outlined
potential suinsrss benefits from use of the software, "Businesses
can use the booking system to obtain more clients, use their time
more efficiently and increase their revenues … For small businesses
it’s often difficult to take time off, because they fear missing
opportunities. Thanks to this system, that’s now a thing of the
past."
Book It Now is available in three packages: free, basic and
advanced. The basic package gives customers the additional ability
to support a range of services and accept full or partial payments
for them. With the advanced package, customers can select different
staff and rooms and businesses can tailor information that they
request from customers to their needs. They can also create a link
to their booking system on their own web site and third party
search portals. The basic package is offered at £10 per month and
the advanced package at £30 per month.